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Talent: Lynn Ackerson calling to the music of The Honeysuckle SistersDate: Saturday, November 24, 2018Time: 8:00–11:00 pm, with newcomer’s orientation at 7:30 pmLocation: Coloma Community Center, 4623 T St, Sacramento, CACost: $12 for adults; $8 for college students with ID; $5 for dancers under 18; $25 maximum for families (cash or check)

Yes, we will be dancing on Thanksgiving weekend! Lynn Ackerson from Oakland, California, brings a huge and ever-expanding contra dance repertoire. Her gracefully efficient walk-throughs and delightful programs reflect her philosophy: to build the relationship between the band and the dancers and then get out of the way.

The Honeysuckle Sisters are Beth Christian on cello, Regan Hemphill on fiddle, and Debra Tayleur on piano. The group loves strong rhythmic drive and lilting melodies, combining New England, Old time, Quebecois, and Irish tunes to make dancers’ spirits and feet fill the floor with joy.

A newcomer’s orientation is offered at 7:30 pm, perfect for people who have not contra danced before, or who could use some refresher. Experienced dancers are invited to partner with newcomers during the orientation and early dances to help integrate them into the community.

No partners are needed, so come by yourself or with friends or with family. Potluck snacks are available at the break, and we encourage you to bring something to share. These events are accessible to people with disabilities.

For more information, and lost and found, contact Laura Leonelli, 916-549-7093, or email info@sactocds.org

Upcoming events:
December 2: English country dance in Roseville
December 8: contra dance
December 16: English country dance at Camp PollockDecember 31: New Year’s Eve contra dance

Cost: $10 for adults; $8 for college students with ID; $5 for dancers under 18; $25 maximum for families (cash or check)

Our new third-Sunday English country dance series has been a smashing success so far! Over 40 dancers enjoyed the live music and dancing in the lodge at our last Camp Pollock event. On the north side of the American River, only 5 minutes from downtown and midtown Sacramento, and on the American River Bike Trail, Camp Pollock provides easy parking, a wonderful dance floor, and great acoustics.

Everyone’s favorite caller, Bruce Hamilton, has created a program of both familiar and new dances made all the more pleasurable by the melodious harmonies provided by our house band, Quite Carried Away. The band is Dick Holdstock on octave mandolin and banjo, Susan Jones and Sandra Westfall on concertinas, Arlene Jamar on piano, Jane Kostka on whistle, Martin Lodahl on viola da gamba, and David Wright on fiddle and mandolin. Ask about their CD!

As usual, beginners are welcome and no partners are necessary. All first-timers are eligible to receive a coupon for half off their next dance if they attend our introductory session that begins at 1:30 pm. Please bring a snack to share at the dance.

For more information, and lost and found, call Laura Leonelli, 916-549-7093, or email info@sactocds.org.

Upcoming events:
November 24: contra dance
December 2: English country dance in Roseville
December 8: contra dance

This evening’s fun will start early, with John Hingtgen and Barbara Jensen teaching a class on schottisch, a fun turning dance. This workshop, from 5:30-7:00 pm, costs $5. The regular contra dance will follow from 8-11 pm, with a newcomer’s orientation at 7:30 pm.

Talent: Yoyo Zhou calling to the music of Reno Ceilidh Band
Date: Saturday, November 10, 2018Location: Coloma Community Center, 4623 T St, Sacramento, CA
Time: 8:00–11:00 pm, with newcomer’s orientation at 7:30 pmCost: $12 for adults; $8 for college students with ID; $5 for dancers under 18; $25 maximum for families (cash or check)

Yoyo Zhou is a caller from Berkeley who is known for his thoughtful teaching and fun dances. He has been calling dances since 2012, sometimes on a few minutes’ notice. He believes in helping dancers get the most out of each dance. The Reno Ceilidh Band is Bob Kastelic and Scott Cozen.

A newcomer’s orientation is offered at 7:30 pm, perfect for people who have not contra danced before, or who could use some refresher. Experienced dancers are invited to partner with newcomers during the orientation and early dances to help integrate them into the community.

No partners are needed, so come by yourself or with friends or with family. Potluck snacks are available at the break, and we encourage you to bring something to share. These events are accessible to people with disabilities.

For more information, and lost and found, contact Laura Leonelli, 916-549-7093, or email info@sactocds.org

Upcoming events:
November 18: English country dance at Camp Pollock
November 24: contra dance
December 2: English country dance in Roseville

Cost: $10 for adults; $8 for college students with ID; $5 for dancers under 18; $25 maximum for families (cash or check)

Sharon Green loves welcoming newcomers to the joys of English country dance. Having come to country dancing as a non-dancing adult, she knows what a challenge it can be for beginners; she also knows that it just gets better and better.

The Parson Sisters are Mirinisa Stewart-Tengco on fiddle and Clara Byom on keys. Based in Albuquerque, New Mexico, the duo specializes in global folk dance music, including Balkan, Irish, contra, and English country dance. Coming from a classical violin background, Mirinisa took time off in college to delve into West African drumming, non-classical violin, and various other instruments, deciding to stick with those after graduating and returning to New Mexico. She is a lifelong dancer with various folk groups. Clara plays piano, accordion and clarinet in several groups. A full-time multi-instrumentalist and ethnomusicologist, she also enjoys dancing whenever she has time.

“FTWK” stands for “for those who know.” We often feature one dance each afternoon with little or no teaching or calling, for folks who have previously learned it. The November FTWK dance will be The Fandango.

As usual, beginners are welcome and no partners are necessary. If you are bringing, or know of any, first-timers, please urge them to come at 1:30 for the introductory workshop that precedes the dance. All dancers are welcome at the workshop, but first-time attendees receive a coupon for half-off admission at their next dance!

For more information, and lost and found, call Laura Leonelli, 916-549-7093, or email info@sactocds.org.

Upcoming events:
November 10: Schottisch workshop and contra dance
November 18: English country dance at Camp Pollock
November 24: contra dance

Talent: Jean Gibson-Gorrindo calling to the music of The CrabapplesDate: Saturday, October 27, 2018Time: 8:00–11:00 pm, with newcomer’s orientation at 7:30 pmLocation: Coloma Community Center, 4623 T St, Sacramento, CACost: $12 for adults; $8 for college students with ID; $5 for dancers under 18; $25 maximum for families (cash or check)

Let your skeletons out of the closet for a special Halloween contra dance this Saturday! Costumes are admired but not required. Jean Gibson-Gorrindo‘s strong teaching and musical skills, combined with her musical and rhythmic vocal quality, help her deliver dances that are flowing, challenging, and fun. She has a particular knack for collecting dances with exceptional choreography designed to enhance the connectedness between us all. In her mind, that feeling of connection is what it is all about.

The Crabapples are Norm Cotton (piano and fiddle), Marta Lynch (fiddle), Bob Silberstein (mandolin, piano, and doumbek), and Teresa Fife (string bass). They have been described as, “a lively band known for playing a variety of traditional tunes. The Monterey-based band has garnered an enthusiastic following on the Central Coast and beyond. From Irish to French Canadian to old-time, from driving to floating to playful tunes, the Crabapples can do it all and do it delightfully!”

A newcomer’s orientation is offered at 7:30 pm, perfect for people who have not contra danced before, or who could use some refresher. Experienced dancers are invited to partner with newcomers during the orientation and early dances to help integrate them into the community.

No partners are needed, so come by yourself or with friends or with family. Potluck snacks are available at the break, and we encourage you to bring something to share. These events are accessible to people with disabilities.

For more information, and lost and found, contact Laura Leonelli, 916-549-7093, or email info@sactocds.org

Upcoming events:
November 4: English country dance in Roseville
November 10: Schottisch workshop and contra dance
November 18: English country dance at Camp Pollock

Cost: $10 for adults; $8 for college students with ID; $5 for dancers under 18; $25 maximum for families (cash or check)

If you’ve missed our dances because Roseville is a little too far for you to travel, here’s your chance to dance with us again! This weekend kicks off an addition to our schedule, a new third-Sunday English country dance held in the lodge at Camp Pollock, on the north side of the American River. You may recall this location from our Anniversary Dance in April. Only 5 minutes from downtown and midtown Sacramento, and on the American River Bike Trail, at Camp Pollock you’ll find easy parking, a wonderful dance floor, and great acoustics. This new dance series supplements our first-Sunday English country dance in Roseville, which will continue as usual. To celebrate the new location, cake will be served!

Lise Dyckman has been teaching and calling English country dance (and contra dance) for decades, in Philadelphia, New York City, California’s Bay Area, and beyond. She is known for her clear and concise calling, musicality, humor, interest in dance history and attention to welcoming community. Quite Carried Away is Dick Holdstock on octave mandolin and banjo, Susan Jones and Sandra Westfall on concertinas, Arlene Jamar on piano, Jane Kostka on whistle, Martin Lodahl on viola da gamba, and David Wright on fiddle and mandolin. Ask to see their CD!

As usual, beginners are welcome and no partners are necessary. If you are bringing, or know of any, first-timers, please urge them to come at 1:30 for the introductory workshop that precedes the dance. All dancers are welcome at the workshop, but first-time attendees receive a coupon for half-off admission at their next dance!

For more information, and lost and found, call Laura Leonelli, 916-549-7093, or email info@sactocds.org.

Upcoming events:
October 27: Halloween contra dance
November 4: English country dance in Roseville
November 10: Schottisch workshop and contra dance

We’ll kick off the night’s festivities with a community potluck, starting at 6:30 pm in the Nevada City Room of the Coloma Community Center. Please bring a dish to share, along with serving utensils, and whatever you want to drink (non-alcoholic). You may also bring your own table setting to save on disposables.

Talent: Talib Huff calling to the music of Lee Anne Welch, Erik Hoffman and Topher GayleDate: Saturday, October 13, 2018Time: 8:00–11:00 pm, with newcomer’s orientation at 7:30 pmLocation: Coloma Community Center, 4623 T St, Sacramento, CACost: $12 for adults; $8 for college students with ID; $5 for dancers under 18; $25 maximum for families (cash or check)

Talib Huff has been calling dances for over 20 years. He currently calls primarily in the Sacramento region and has led dances for local groups, schools wedding, festivals and dance communities. Lee Anne Welch is a sought-after contra dance fiddler who has played with several bands, including Luceo, Peak Nouveau, Balance & Swing, and Bandemonium! She can be heard locally at Bay Area dances, has toured throughout the United States, and has also performed in Canada and the Caribbean. Erik Hoffman has played with The Rosin Doctors and The Erik Thor & Hands Four. After starting out calling contra dances, he took up fiddle in 1987 to learn more about the music and fell in love with the instrument. He loves the spirit and joy that is passed along with traditional music and dance, and loves to share his enthusiasm. Topher Gayle has always enjoyed the social aspects of making music, so it’s natural that he’s in a bunch of bands with a bunch of different people playing many styles of music. Topher has played contra dances for over fifteen years, touring nationally with TheOpporTunists and locally with The Rosin Doctors.

A newcomer’s orientation is offered at 7:30 pm, perfect for people who have not contra danced before, or who could use some refresher. Experienced dancers are invited to partner with newcomers during the orientation and early dances to help integrate them into the community.

No partners are needed, so come by yourself or with friends or with family. Potluck snacks are available at the break, and we encourage you to bring something to share. These events are accessible to people with disabilities.

For more information, and lost and found, contact Laura Leonelli, 916-549-7093, or email info@sactocds.org

Upcoming events:
October 21: English country dance at Camp Pollock in Sacramento
October 27: contra dance at Coloma Community Center
November 4: English country dance in Roseville